We Are DownSyndrome Achieves.
We envision a world where people with Down syndrome no longer face the health concerns they do today. A future that includes preventative care to protect people with DS from Alzheimer’s Disease, childhood leukemia and heart defects. One that provides therapeutic options so that these conditions, and others, can be safely and effectively treated. We hope to make this a reality for all people.
This includes:
• Establishing a biobank dedicated to Down syndrome
• Promoting the DS-Connect Health Registry
• Sharing with the community about research needs & benefits
Mission
DownSyndrome Achieves works to maximize the health and potential of every individual with Down syndrome by championing the development of critical research capabilities needed to better understand Down syndrome and to accelerate breakthrough discoveries.
Vision
We believe that people with Down syndrome will lead healthier, more active and independent lives tomorrow because of breakthrough research happening today. That’s why we work collaboratively with Down syndrome research organizations and the community to fully develop critical research initiatives.
DownSyndrome Achieves Board
Jason Widmer
Jason Widmer is Chief Engineer at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. He is also father to Brooke, his young adult daughter who has Down syndrome.
Mark Weitzel
Mark Weitzel is a Vice President of Commercial Lending at JP Morgan Chase Bank.
Elizebeth Maag
Elizebeth Maag is Senior Legal Counsel for Aware, an AI solutions company.
David Bastulli
David Bastulli is a Strategic Account Manager for Delta Medical Systems/Siemans Heathineers.
Rebecca Bowman
Rebecca Bowman is Director, Customer Operations, North America, for the Clorox Company.
Moti Bycel
Moti Bycel is a Senior Enterprise Customer Success Manager for LinkedIn Sales Solutions. He is also father to Ayala, his young daughter who has Down syndrome.
Steven Fields
Steven Fields is Director of Consumer Marketing Strategy at the Columbus Dispatch.
Kevin Fox
Kevin Fox is the Founder of Foxwerx Group, a marketing & communications agency based in Columbus, OH.
Jillian Froment
Jillian Froment is Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the American Council of Life Insurers.
Joe Garber, JD, CPA
Joe Garber is Senior Deputy Counsel at Root Insurance.
Gregory Moraski
Gregory Moraski is Vice President of Claims at Security First Insurance.
Michael Vaccaro
Michael Vaccaro is Director of Sales and Marketing at Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. He is the older brother of Daniel, who has Down syndrome.
DownSyndrome Achieves Staff
Lito Ramirez
Lito is president & CEO of DownSyndrome Achieves, the DS Biobank’s sponsor. He has more than 20 years of senior level experience in brand development, strategic marketing, and product development specializing in B2B health care.
Lito previously served as press secretary to Ohio Lieutenant Governor Nancy P. Hollister, and as Account Director for an oncology advertising agency where he helped manage the brand launch and strategic marketing initiatives for $2.2B oncology biotech client.
Lito also served as a Consultant, Sr. Product/Marketing Manager for Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions, where he directed strategic brand and marketing initiatives for a $1.5B specialty pharmaceuticals division with an emphasis in health care technology, and rheumatology, urology, and nephrology therapeutic areas.
He is TEDxColumbus speaker, and a published author, whose work has appeared in national health care journals, including the Journal of Medical Practice Management and Health Care Marketing Report. He is the father of a young son with Down syndrome.
Nicole White
Nicole is Biobank Coordinator for the DSA Biobank and brings strong expertise, technical insight, and strategic design to the project.
Nicole has a more than 18 years of research experience, specializing in the creation of new research core facilities. She currently serves as Research Shared Facilities Administrator at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center where she oversees 28 different research facilities including biobanks, bioinformatics and translational research, among others.
Nicole has four children, including a daughter with Down syndrome.
Our Partners
